Toy structure



July 25, 1961 c, v s 2,993,298

TOY STRUCTURE Filed May 8, 1959 CLARENCE E. [Muss 27 I 33 26 4 79 I 4 l5 i 34 as 24 A 2;-

I A 2 I; /6 r5 Vgfla/ a? \VZ 24 /;-za 6: i 28 a 1 3 fl": U A INVENTOR UV 31 i ATTORNEY United States Patent Oficc Patented July 25, 1961 2,993,298 TOY STRUCTURE Clarence E. Vause, RD. 2, Leonardtown, Md. Filed May 8, 1959, Ser. No. 811,928 4 Claims. (Cl. 46-83) This invention relates to a spinning toy and more particularly to such a toy provided with a top or launching device actuated by a string and a detachable flying spinner adapted to be released by impact of the launching device against the ground for free flight.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of such a toy characterized by high entertainment and amusement value.

A further more specific object of the invention is the provision of means associated with the launching device for securely holding the flying spinner in association therewith, which will automatically release the spinner upon impact with the ground.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of such a spinner which is relatively light in weight and characterized by a minimum of structural elements and which thus will have an exceptionally long and high duration and range of flight.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a toy of this character which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efl'icient in operation and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and utilize.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and details of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 as viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURE 2 showing certain of the parts in a dilferent position of adjustment.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4--4 of FIGURE 2 as viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 2 as viewed in the direction of the arrows, and

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 2 as viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawing in detail, there is generally indicated at 10 a spinner or flying toy which includes a hub 11 having a centrally located depending stem 12 and a plurality of radially disposed inclined blades 13 surrounded by and connected at their tips to an annulus on ring 14.

The launcher, generally indicated at 15, for the toy 10 includes a disc 16 of greater diameter than the ring 14 having a centrally disposed upwardly extending circular boss 17. The boss 17 has a centrally positioned slot 18 having tapered ends 19 therein, at the lower portion of which is a rectangular bore 20* extending downwardly through a stem or handle portion 21 and terminating at its lower end in an enlarged open ended portion 22, a shoulder 23 being formed at the juncture of bore 20 and enlarged portion 22.

An annular rim 24 having a notch 25 therein surrounds the upper portion of stem 21 adjacent the underside of disc 16 to accommodate a spinning string (not shown) for rotating the disc. I

Positioned in the slot 18 is a tapered resilient block 26 of a size to fit wholly therein having a tapered central opening 27 therein and a stem 28 is secured, as by a screw 29 to the underside of the block 26. The stem 28 extends downwardly through the bore 20 and of a size to move freely therein and terminates in a plunger or impact member 30 freely movable in the enlarged portion 22 and having a pointed end 31 extending out of the open end of enlarged portion 22.

The stem 21 is circular in cross section and is adapted to be surrounded by a sleeve or handle 33 in which the launcher '15 and its associated flyer is freely rotatable.

A flanged cover plate 33 serves as a closure for slot 18 and is provided with a central opening 34 into which stem 12 may be extended.

In the use and operation of the device, the stem 12 is inserted through the opening 34 into the tapered central opening 27 of block 26, eflecting a camming action securely holding the stem 12 and its associated elements in related assembly with the launcher. A string is then wound between disc 16 and rim 24 and has its knotted end secured in notch 25. The sleeve 33 is then grasped in one hand and the string pulled in the conventional manner of launching a top to impart rotary movement to launcher 15 and spinner 10 and the sleeve 33 pulled from the stem 28. The weight of stem 28 causes disc 16 to fall to the ground in substantially flat position, and the impact of pointed end 31 of impact member 30 against the ground releases the engagement of block 26 with stem 12, whereupon the rapidly rotating spinner 10 is lifted by its blades 13 for free flight.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided a spinning toy which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention and others including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a flying toy in combination, a flyer including a hub, blades secured to said hub and a stem depending from said hub, a launcher, said launcher including a disc, a central boss on said disc, a tapered opening in said boss, a resilient block completely contained in said opening, a tapered bore in said block for the reception of the stem of said flyer, a handle on said disc, a bore extending through said handle, an impact stern extending through said last-mentioned bore and of a size to move freely therein secured at one end to said resilient block and having its other end extending outwardly of said handle and an impact member on said other end of said stem.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein means are provided on said handle for the reception of a spinning string, said means including a notched annulus adjacent said disc.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein a spinning sleeve is adapted to be positioned around said handle.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said bore extending through said handle includes an enlarged portion forming a shoulder, and wherein said impact member is movable in said enlarged portion and is provided with a pointed end extending out of said enlarged portion.

Leeb Dec. 29, 1891 Ioffe Jan. 28, 1919 

